One of the many perks of fall is the great food. With the variety of pies, soups, and fresh produce, the recipe options are endless. As the cold weather sets in, nothing is better than enjoying a warm home cooked meal with those you love. You might think: If only I had the time to cook a delicious meal at home. I have great news; you do! Listed below are three delicious dishes perfect for the season, all made in six simple steps.

Sunset Soup

You can use pumpkin instead of squash for this nutritional and tasty soup.

Serves: 4

Prep: 15 minutes

Cooking: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

24lb 4oz/ 1 Kg butternut squash

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 large onion, sliced

1 celery stalk, sliced

1 leek sliced

1 large carrot, sliced

5 cups vegetable stock

2 bay leaves

1 bouquet garni

1 teaspoon dried thyme

salt and pepper

grated sharp cheddar cheese

Step 1: Cut the squash into thick slices, and then cut off the skin. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and cut into chunks.

Step 2: Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes, then add the squash, celery, leek, and carrot; stir well.

Step 3: Cook the vegetables for 3 minutes with the lid on. Pour in the stock and add the bay leaves, bouquet garni, and thyme.

Step 4: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, half covered, for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

Step 5: Remove the pan from the heat and, using a handheld electric blender, blend the soup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a sprinkling of grated cheese.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread that’s easy-to-make and perfectly spiced.

Serves: 6-8

Prep: 30 minutes

Cooking: 1 hour, plus cooling

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable or corn oil

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1teaspoon baking soda

1 cup finely chopped apple (unpeeled)

2 cups flour

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350° F.

Step 2: Using an electric or hand beater, mix together the oil, butter, sugar, egg, pumpkin puree, and apple in a 2½ qt. mixing bowl.

Step 3: Combine the dry ingredients and add them to the pumpkin mixture; mix until well moistened.

Step 4: Pour the batter into a buttered 1 ½ qt. loaf dish.

Step 5: Work the ingredients for the topping with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle this on top of the loaf.

Step 6: Bake for 1 hour. Let cool on rack.

Personalized Apple Pies

These personalized apple pies incorporate baking and crafts all rolled into one.

Makes: 4

Prep: 20 minutes, plus chilling

Cooking: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

heaping 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (or half vegetable fat), cut into small pieces

2 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

pinch of salt

1 egg, separated

1-2 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

1 lb 8oz/ 675 g apples, peeled, halved, cored, and thinly sliced

2 tablespoon orange juice

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoon superfine sugar

Step 1: Sift the flour, salt, and confectioners’ sugar into a bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips.

Step 2: When the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs, mix in the egg yolk and water. Form the mixture into a ball with your hands.

Step 3: Cover the pastry dough with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Mix the apple slices with the orange juice, cinnamon, and superfine sugar.

Step 4: Turn on the oven to 400°F/200°C. Divide the apple mixture between the 4 heatproof dishes. Wet the rim of each dish.

Step 5: Roll out the pastry dough and cut 4 round tops. Top each pie with a pastry circle, trim the edges, and press with a fork.

Step 6: Brush each pie with egg white and make a slit in the top; decorate by carefully cutting your initials out in the dough. Stick on the letters and brush again before baking. Put on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes.